RICE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Willmar, MN

Policy: RI-7

New: 5/00

Reviewed:

Revised:

SAFE PLACE FOR NEWBORNS

I. PURPOSE: To provide procedures as defined by Minn.Stat.§§: 145.902, 260C. 217, and 609.3785 for leaving an unharmed newborn at Rice Memorial Hospital with a hospital employee in lieu of abandonment, injury, or death.

II. POLICY: Rice Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with the Kandiyohi County Attorney and the child protection division of Kandiyohi County Family Services, will offer protective shelter, medical care and treatment in a hospital setting to unwanted newborns. A person may leave a newborn with a hospital employee at Rice Memorial Hospital without being subjected to prosecution if the newborn is left in an unharmed condition within 72 hours of birth, and in cases where the person leaving the newborn is not the child’s mother, the person has the mother’s approval to do so. An “unharmed condition” can be interpreted as meaning the infant was not harmed through abuse or neglect after being born. If medical assessment reveals intentional injury or abuse to the newborn, the Safe Place For Newborn procedure will not be utilized and the appropriate authorities will be contacted for investigation.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Hospital Staff: Receives newborn baby, assesses, provides appropriate care and notifies Kandiyohi County Family Services with 24 hours.

B. Kandiyohi County Family Services: Assumes custody and placement responsibilities of the newborn after discharged from the hospital.

IV. PROCEDURE:

A. Emergency Department

1. Receives newborn left with a hospital employee on the hospital premises, provided that the newborn was born within 72 hours.

2. ED physician notifies the on-call pediatrician that a newborn has been brought to the ED and is need of an assessment as soon as possible.

3. The on-call pediatrician, within a reasonable degree of medical certainty, assesses the infant’s physical condition and determines whether the infant is no greater than 72 hours old.

4. Must not inquire as to the identity of the mother or the person leaving the newborn or call the police, provided the newborn is unharmed when presented to the hospital.

5. May ask the mother or the person leaving the newborn about the medical history of the mother or newborn but the mother/person leaving the newborn is not required to provide any information.

6. Provide health questionnaire to mother or person leaving the infant and request that he/she return the information.

7. May provide the mother or person leaving the newborn with information about how to contact relevant social service agencies.

8. Contacts Care Management during business hours or as soon as available.

9. Triage newborn to Pediatric Department.

10. If the mother or other relatives return after leaving the premises to inquire about custody of the newborn they should be referred to Kandiyohi County Family Services.

11. If assessment reveals that the newborn is not in an unharmed condition or is greater than 72 hours old staff should initiate the protocol for suspected maltreatment of an infant/child.

B. Care Management

1. Notify Kandiyohi County Family Services within 24 hours of receiving a newborn, but must not do so before the mother or person leaving the newborn leaves the hospital. Contact intake at Kandiyohi County Family Services during regular business hours. Contact the on-call Social Worker through dispatch after business hours.

2. Coordinates discharge planning of newborn to the social service agency taking custody of the newborn.

3. Notifies Hospital Administration.

C. Pediatric Department

1. Admits newborn to the unit and provides appropriate nursing care and treatment.

2. Pediatrician on-call assumes care of the newborn and confirms health status.

3. Confirms Care Management referral.

D. Business Office

1. Registers infant by name if known, or by Baby John/Jane Doe if unknown.

2. Restricts all information regarding the newborn.

E. Discharge Placement: Responsibility for taking custody of the newborn falls to the Kandiyohi County Family Services.

V. REFERENCES: Minnesota Statutes §§: 145; 902; 260C; and 609, 3785.

VI. DISTRIBUTION: All Departments/Units

VII. MAINKEEPER: Administration